The Pastef party has declared that one of Senegal’s key opposition leaders, Ousmane Sonko, is unreachable. Sonko has been in a long-standing standoff with the authorities for more than two years. The opposition leader, who has a considerable youth following, is currently facing a rape trial. If Sonko is sentenced in the ongoing trial, he may be barred from running for the presidency in the upcoming general elections.
Sonko set off from his hometown in the south on Friday to attend the trial, which he has accused of being politically motivated. His convoy drew crowds of young and fervent supporters, culminating in clashes between the youths and security forces. One man was killed as a result.
Despite documenting his movements on social media, Sonko has not made any posts since Sunday. His party claimed in a statement that President Ousmane Sonko had been unreachable for hours. Additionally, they said they would “react to any attack on his physical integrity, his imprisonment or house arrest.”
When asked about Sonko’s situation and any possible arrest, several government officials and Sonko’s lawyers did not respond. He is incredibly popular among the under-20s, who account for half of Senegal’s booming population.
